Window for display device, method for fabricating the same and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

A window for a display device includes: a base layer; a first hard coating layer on the base layer; and a second hard coating layer on the first hard coating layer and having a thickness less than a thickness of the first hard coating layer, where the first hard coating layer is between the base layer and the second hard coating layer.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0147980, filed on Nov. 8, 2017, and all the benefits accruingtherefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety isherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to a window for a display device,more particularly, a window for a display device with improved impactresistance, to a method for manufacturing the window and to a displaydevice including the window.

2. Discussion of Related Art

With the recent development of mobile devices such as smart phones andtablet personal computers, a thinner and slimmer base member for adisplay device have been desired.

Glass or tempered glass having high mechanical properties is generallyused as a front window or a front protective member of mobile devices.However, the glass itself may increase the weight of the mobile devicedue to its heavy weight and is also vulnerable to an external impact.

Plastic materials are being studied as a substitute for glass. Plasticmaterials are light in weight and less susceptible to breakage and thusare widely used as window materials for mobile devices.

SUMMARY

In a case where a display device including a window formed of a plasticmaterial is attached to a vehicle, the impact resistance characteristicof the window of the display device is desired to be improved.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a window for a displaydevice with improved impact resistance, a method for manufacturing thewindow and a display device including the window.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a window for a display deviceincludes: a base layer; a first hard coating layer on the base layer;and a second hard coating layer on the first hard coating layer andhaving a thickness less than a thickness of the first hard coatinglayer, where the first hard coating layer is between the base layer andthe second hard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer may have athickness which is about 10% of the thickness of the first hard coatinglayer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer may have athickness in a range from about 5% to about 10% of a thickness of thebase layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the window for the display device mayfurther include at least one of: a first auxiliary layer on a lowersurface of the base layer; and a second auxiliary layer between the baselayer and the first hard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first auxiliary layerand the second auxiliary layer may include at least one of polyimide,polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene naphthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, opaque liquid crystal polymer and polymethylmethacrylate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer may include anorganic material and an inorganic material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the organic material of the first hardcoating layer may include acryl and epoxy.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer may includeacrylic oligomer.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the base layer, the firsthard coating layer and the second hard coating layer may includefluorine.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer may include one ofpolycarbonate, a low birefringence resin and poly methyl methacrylate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer may have amultilayer structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer may include a soft layer anda hard layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the soft layer and the hard layer may bealternately arranged.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device includes: adisplay panel; and a window on the display panel. In such an embodiment,the window includes: a base layer on the display panel; a first hardcoating layer on the base layer; and a second hard coating layer on thefirst hard coating layer and having a thickness less than a thickness ofthe first hard coating layer, where the first hard coating layer isbetween the base layer and the second hard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer may have athickness which is about 10% of the thickness of the first hard coatinglayer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer may have athickness in a range from about 5% to about 10% of a thickness of thebase layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the window may further include at least oneof: a first auxiliary layer between the display panel and the baselayer; and a second auxiliary layer between the base layer and the firsthard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first auxiliary layerand the second auxiliary layer may include at least one of polyimide,polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene naphthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, opaque liquid crystal polymer and polymethylmethacrylate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer may include anorganic material and an inorganic material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the organic material of the first hardcoating layer may include acryl and epoxy.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer may includeacrylic oligomer.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the base layer, the firsthard coating layer and the second hard coating layer may includefluorine.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device may further include: aframe which supports the window; a panel support portion between thewindow and a base portion of the frame; and a first pressure sensingportion between the panel support portion and the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may include: a centerportion between the panel support portion and the window; and an edgeportion between the panel support portion and the base portion of theframe. The first pressure sensing portion may be disposed between theedge portion and the panel support portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may further include atleast one of: a second pressure sensing portion between a side portionprotruding from an edge of the frame and an edge of the window; and athird pressure sensing portion between the window and the display panel,where the display panel is flexible.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least two of the first, second and thirdpressure sensing portions may have different sensitivities from eachother.

In an exemplary embodiment, the third pressure sensing portion may havea lowest sensitivity, the second pressure sensing portion may have ahighest sensitivity, and the first pressure sensing portion may have asensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the second pressure sensingportion and higher than the sensitivity of the third pressure sensingportion.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least two of the first, second and thirdpressure sensing portions may include elastic elements having differentmoduli.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first pressure sensing portion,the second pressure sensing portion and the third pressure sensingportion may include an elastic element, a modulus of the elastic elementof the third pressure sensing portion is greater than a modulus of theelastic element of the first pressure sensing portion and the modulus ofthe elastic element of the first pressure sensing portion is greaterthan a modulus of the elastic element of the second pressure sensingportion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic element of the first pressuresensing portion may have a thickness substantially equal to or greaterthan a thickness of the elastic element of the second pressure sensingportion, and the elastic element of the third pressure sensing portionmay have a thickness less than a thickness of the elastic element of thefirst pressure sensing portion.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of manufacturing a windowfor a display device includes: providing a first hard coating layer on abase layer; and providing a second hard coating layer on the first hardcoating layer, where the second hard coating layer has a thickness lessthan a thickness of the first hard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer may have athickness which is about 10% of a thickness of the first hard coatinglayer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer may have athickness which is in a range from about 5% to about 10% of a thicknessof the base layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include at least oneof:

providing a first auxiliary layer on a lower surface of the base layer;and providing a second auxiliary layer between the base layer and thefirst hard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first auxiliary layerand the second auxiliary layer may include at least one of polyimide,polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene naphthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, and opaque liquid crystal polymer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the providing the first hard coating layermay include: forming a first layer on the base layer; half-curing thefirst layer; forming a second layer on the half-cured first layer; andfully curing the first layer and the second layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the invention will become more apparentby describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to an alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a window for adisplay device according to another alternative exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are views showing an exemplary embodiment of amethod of manufacturing a first hard coating layer;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing sensitivities of first, second and thirdpressure sensing portions of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a portion of an exemplary embodiment of adisplay panel of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 13;and

FIG. 16 is a view for showing an impact resistance test of a window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments areshown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms,and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

In the drawings, thicknesses of a plurality of layers and areas areillustrated in an enlarged manner for clarity and ease of descriptionthereof. When a layer, area, or plate is referred to as being “on”another layer, area, or plate, it may be directly on the other layer,area, or plate, or intervening layers, areas, or plates may betherebetween. Conversely, when a layer, area, or plate is referred to asbeing “directly on” another layer, area, or plate, intervening layers,areas, or plates may be absent therebetween. Further when a layer, area,or plate is referred to as being “below” another layer, area, or plate,it may be directly below the other layer, area, or plate, or interveninglayers, areas, or plates may be therebetween. Conversely, when a layer,area, or plate is referred to as being “directly below” another layer,area, or plate, intervening layers, areas, or plates may be absenttherebetween.

The spatially relative terms “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe the relations between one element or component and anotherelement or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition tothe orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, in the case wherea device illustrated in the drawing is turned over, the devicepositioned “below” or “beneath” another device may be placed “above”another device. Accordingly, the illustrative term “below” may includeboth the lower and upper positions. The device may also be oriented inthe other direction and thus the spatially relative terms may beinterpreted differently depending on the orientations.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being“connected” to another element, the element is “directly connected” tothe other element, or “electrically connected” to the other element withone or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. It will befurther understood that the terms “comprises,” “including,” “includes”and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elementsand/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements,these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, “afirst element” discussed below could be termed “a second element” or “athird element,” and “a second element” and “a third element” may betermed likewise without departing from the teachings herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of deviation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of themeasurement system).

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical andscientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by thoseskilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be furtherunderstood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unlessclearly defined in the specification.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to crosssection illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described asflat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover,sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regionsillustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes arenot intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are notintended to limit the scope of the present claims.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a window for a display device, amethod for manufacturing the window and a display device including thewindow will be described in detail with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window 600-1 for a display device mayinclude a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 disposed on thebase layer 601, and a second hard coating layer 612 disposed on thefirst hard coating layer 611, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hard coating layers 611 and 612 aredisposed upwardly of the base layer 601 and not downwardly of the baselayer 601. In such an embodiment, the first hard coating layer 611 andthe second hard coating layer 612 are disposed in an outer sidedirection of the display device with respect to the base layer 601. Insuch an embodiment, the window 600-1 may have high impact resistance.

The second hard coating layer 612 defines an outermost portion of thewindow 600-1 to be exposed to the outside of the display device.Accordingly, an impact from the outside is firstly applied to the secondhard coating layer 612.

The second hard coating layer 612 at the outermost portion of the window600-1 is subjected to a compressive stress due to the impact.

The first hard coating layer 611 adjacent to the second hard coatinglayer 612 is also subjected to a compressive stress due to the impact.

The first and second hard coating layers 611 and 612 may be weak totensile stress, but are relatively strong to compressive stress.

In an exemplary embodiment, since the hard coating layers 611 and 612included in the window 600-1 are located in an outer side direction ofthe display device with respect to the base layer 601, the hard coatinglayers 611 and 612 are subjected to a compressive stress against anexternal impact. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, impact resistanceof the window 600-1 may be improved.

If a window has a structure in which the first hard coating layer 611 islocated below the base layer 601, or the base layer 601 is positionedbetween the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coatinglayer 612, the above-described compressive stress is applied to thesecond hard coating layer 612, while a tensile stress is applied to thefirst hard coating layer 611 located below the base layer 601 when animpact is applied to the second hard coating layer 612 located at anoutermost portion. Accordingly, in the window having such a structure,the first hard coating layer 611 may be relatively easily damaged.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer 601 may include an organicmaterial, e.g., a plastic, having light transmittance. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the base layer 601 may include at least one ofpolyethylene (“PET”), polypropylene (“PP”), polyamide (“PA”), polyacetal(“POM”), polymethylmethacrylate (“PMMA”), polybutylene terephthalate,polycarbonate (“PC”), polycarbonate blend series, cellulose,moisture-proof cellophane and a low refractive index resin. Thematerials listed above are all light transmitting materials. In such anembodiment, the aforementioned low refractive index resin may notinclude bisphenol A. In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer 601 mayinclude a well-known light transmitting plastic material other than theabove-listed materials.

The first hard coating layer 611 may be disposed on the base layer 601.In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the first hard coating layer611 may be disposed between the base layer 601 and the second hardcoating layer 612.

The first hard coating layer 611 may include an organic material and aninorganic material. The first hard coating layer 611 including both theorganic material and the inorganic material may have a great hardness.In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the first hard coating layer611 may have a (pencil) hardness of about 9 H.

In an exemplary embodiment, the organic material included in the firsthard coating layer 611 may include acryl or epoxy, for example.

In such an embodiment, acryl increases the bonding force and density ofthe first hard coating layer 611, and epoxy increases the heatresistance, chemical resistance, water resistance, adhesiveness andmechanical hardness of the first hard coating layer 611.

The first hard coating layer 611 may be manufactured by curing (e.g.,ultraviolet curing or thermal curing) of materials including aninorganic material, acryl and epoxy. In such a curing process, acrylshrinks while epoxy expands.

A degree of warping (or curling) of the first hard coating layer 611 maybe controlled according to a combination ratio of acryl and epoxy.Accordingly, the warpage (or curling) of the first hard coating layer611 may be substantially prevented by combination of acryl and epoxy atan appropriate ratio. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, theratio between acryl and epoxy that may substantially prevent warpage ofthe first hard coating layer 611 may be about 7:3.

The second hard coating layer 612 may be disposed on the first hardcoating layer 611.

The second hard coating layer 612 may include acrylic oligomer.

The second hard coating layer 612 may have a hardness substantiallyequal to or different from a hardness of the first hard coating layer611. The second hard coating layer 612 may a hardness greater than orless than a hardness of the first hard coating layer 611.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the base layer 601, thefirst hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612 mayfurther include fluorine. Fluorine acts as a trace additive. In such anembodiment, the hardness and anti-fingerprint characteristics of a layermay be improved by adding fluorine to the layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned fluorine may beselectively added, for example, only to the second hard coating layer612 located at an outermost portion with respect to the base layer 601.In such an embodiment, the content of the fluorine in the second hardcoating layer 612 may be in a range from about 0.001 weight percent (wt%) to about 0.2 wt % based on the total weight of the second hardcoating layer 612.

A surface of the second hard coating layer 612 including fluorine ishydrophobic. In such an embodiment, a contact angle (or a water contactangle) of the surface of the second hard coating layer 612 may be about105 degrees or more.

In an exemplary embodiment where fluorine is added to the first hardcoating layer 611, the content of the fluorine in the first hard coatinglayer 611 may be in a range from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.2 wt %based on the total weight of the first hard coating layer 611.

In an exemplary embodiment where fluorine is added to the base layer601, the content of the fluorine in the base layer 601 may be in a rangefrom about 0.001 wt % to about 0.2 wt % based on the total weight of thebase layer 601.

In an exemplary embodiment, Teflon® may be used instead of theaforementioned fluorine.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least two of the base layer 601, thefirst hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612 mayhave a substantially equal thickness as each other.

A thickness d1 of the base layer 601 is a size of the base layer 601measured in a Z-axis direction (i.e., a thickness direction of thewindow), a thickness d2 of the first hard coating layer 611 is a size ofthe first hard coating layer 611 measured in the Z-axis direction, and athickness d3 of the second hard coating layer 612 is a size of thesecond hard coating layer 612 measured in the Z-axis direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least two of the base layer 601, thefirst hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612 mayhave different thicknesses from each other. In an exemplary embodiment,the thickness d2 of the first hard coating layer 611 may be less thanthe thickness d1 of the base layer 601, and the thickness d3 of thesecond hard coating layer 612 may be less than the thickness d2 of thefirst hard coating layer 611. In one exemplary embodiment, for example,the thickness d2 of the first hard coating layer 611 may be in a rangefrom about 5% to about 15% of the thickness d1 of the base layer 601,and the thickness d3 of the second hard coating layer 612 may be about10% of the thickness d2 of the first hard coating layer 611. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the thickness d3 of the second hardcoating layer 612 may be in a range from about 0.5% to about 1.5% of thethickness d1 of the base layer 601.

The base layer 601 may have a thickness d1 in a range, for example, fromabout 500 micrometers (μm) to about 1,000 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer 612, which islocated at an outermost portion, may be subjected to a surfacemodification to improve the corrosion resistance and fingerprintresistance of the second hard coating layer 612. Accordingly, the secondhard coating layer 612 has a thickness less than that of other layers.

Although including acrylic oligomer, the second hard coating layer 612does not include epoxy which has properties (i.e., expansion properties)opposite to properties of the acrylic material. However, warping of thesecond hard coating layer 612 may be substantially prevented by epoxyincluded in the first hard coating layer 611 which is adjacent to thesecond hard coating layer 612.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second hard coating layer 612 mayfurther include epoxy.

The window 600-1 of FIG. 1 may be manufactured by the following method.

In such a method, a material for the first hard coating layer 611 isapplied on the base layer 601.

Thereafter, the first hard coating layer 611 is cured by heat orultraviolet rays.

Next, a material for the second hard coating layer 612 is applied on thecured first hard coating layer 611.

Then, the second hard coating layer 612 is cured by heat or ultravioletrays.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to an alternative exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window 600-2 for a display device mayinclude a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611, a second hardcoating layer 612 and an ultraviolet blocking element 65, as illustratedin FIG. 2.

In such an embodiment, at least one of the base layer 601, the firsthard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612 may includethe ultraviolet blocking element 65 disposed therein. The ultravioletblocking element 65 serves as a trace additive. The ultraviolet blockingelement 65 may effectively prevent ultraviolet rays from the outsidefrom being incident onto the display device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet blocking element 65 may beselectively included in at least one of the base layer 601, the firsthard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612, forexample, only in the second hard coating layer 612 which is located atan outermost portion with respect to the base layer 601 such that themanufacturing cost of the window 600-2 may be reduced.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, where the second hard coatinglayer 612 does not have a sufficiently large thickness, the ultravioletblocking element 65 may be selectively added, for example, only to thefirst hard coating layer 611 which has a thickness larger than athickness of the second hard coating layer 612 and is located mostadjacent to an outermost layer (e.g., the second hard coating layer612). In such an embodiment, where the thickness of the second hardcoating layer 612 is small, the ultraviolet blocking element 65 may notbe added to the second hard coating layer 612 in a sufficient amount,and thus the ultraviolet blocking element 65 may be added only to thefirst hard coating layer 611 which has a thickness larger than athickness of the second hard coating layer 612. In such an embodiment,the ultraviolet blocking element 65 may be selectively added only to thefirst hard coating layer 611 rather than the second hard coating layer612.

The base layer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hardcoating layer 612 have a light transmittance of about 90% or greater. Inan exemplary embodiment, the ultraviolet blocking element 65 may beadded to one layer of the window 600-2 in an amount determined not tolower a critical light transmittance (for example, a light transmittanceof about 90%) of the one layer. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the content of the ultraviolet blocking element 65 in the baselayer 601 may be in a range of about 3 wt % or less with respect to thetotal weight of the base layer 601, the content of the ultravioletblocking element 65 in the first hard coating layer 611 may be in arange of about 3 wt % or less with respect to the total weight of thefirst hard coating layer 611, or the content of the ultraviolet blockingelement 65 in the second hard coating layer 612 may be in a range ofabout 3 wt % or less with respect to the total weight of the second hardcoating layer 612.

The base layer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hardcoating layer 612 of FIG. 2 are substantially identical to the baselayer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coatinglayer 612 described above with reference to FIG. 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer 601 may have a multilayerstructure including at least two layers having different hardnesses fromeach other. The at least two layers may be alternately stacked one onanother or disposed alternately with each other along a Z-axisdirection. Such an embodiment will hereinafter be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, a window 600-3 for a display device mayinclude a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 and a secondhard coating layer 612, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In such an embodiment,the base layer 601 may include a soft layer 601A and a hard layer 601Barranged in the Z-axis direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the hard layer 601B maybe disposed on the soft layer 601A. In such an embodiment, the hardlayer 601B may be positioned between the soft layer 601A and the firsthard coating layer 611.

In an exemplary embodiment, the soft layer 601A and the hard layer 601Bmay have a substantially same thickness as each other.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the soft layer 601A and the hardlayer 601B may have different thicknesses from each other. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the hard layer 601B may have athickness greater than a thickness of the soft layer 601A.

In an exemplary embodiment, the soft layer 601A and the hard layer 601Bmay have different hardnesses from each other. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the hard layer 601B may have a hardness greaterthan a hardness of the soft layer 601A.

In an exemplary embodiment, the soft layer 601A may include, forexample, PC.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hard layer 601B may include, forexample, PMMA. Alternatively, the hard layer 601B may include PMMA andPC.

The first hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612of FIG. 3 are substantially identical to the first hard coating layer611 and the second hard coating layer 612 described above with referenceto FIG. 1.

The base layer 601 of FIG. 3 may have a thickness substantially equal toa thickness of the base layer 601 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window 600-4 for a display device mayinclude a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 and a secondhard coating layer 612, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In such an embodiment,the base layer 601 may include a first hard layer 601 b 1, a soft layer601 a and a second hard layer 601 b 2 arranged in the Z-axis direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the soft layer 601 a maybe disposed on the first hard layer 601 b 1. In such an embodiment, thesoft layer 601 a may be positioned between the first hard layer 601 b 1and the second hard layer 601 b 2.

In such an embodiment, the second hard layer 601 b 2 may be disposed onthe soft layer 601 a. In such an embodiment, the second hard layer 601 b2 may be positioned between the soft layer 601 a and the first hardcoating layer 611.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard layer 601 b 1, the soft layer601 a and the second hard layer 601 b 2 may have a substantially samethickness as each other. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, atleast two of the first hard layer 601 b 1, the soft layer 601 a and thesecond hard layer 601 b 2 may have different thicknesses from eachother. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the first hard layer601 b 1 (or the second hard layer 601 b 2) may have a thickness greaterthan a thickness of the soft layer 601 a.

The first hard layer 601 b 1 (or the second hard layer 601 b 2) may havea hardness different from a hardness of the soft layer 601 a. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the first hard layer 601 b 1 may havea hardness greater than a hardness of the soft layer 601 a. In such anembodiment, the second hard layer 601 b 2 may have a hardness greaterthan a hardness of the soft layer 601 a. In an exemplary embodiment, thefirst hard layer 601 b 1 and the second hard layer 601 b 2 may have asubstantially same hardness as each other.

Each of the first hard layer 601 b 1 and the second hard layer 601 b 2may include a material substantially the same as a material included in,for example, the hard layer 601B described above with reference to FIG.3.

The soft layer 601 a may include a material substantially the same as amaterial included in the soft layer 601A described above with referenceto FIG. 3.

The first hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612of FIG. 4 are substantially identical to the first hard coating layer611 and the second hard coating layer 612 described above with referenceto FIG. 1.

The base layer 601 of FIG. 4 may have a thickness substantially equal toa thickness of the base layer 601 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window for a display device may include abase layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 and a second hard coatinglayer 612, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In such an embodiment, the baselayer 601 may include a first soft layer 601A1, a first hard layer601B1, a second soft layer 601A2 and a second hard layer 601B2 arrangedin the Z-axis direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first hard layer601B1 may be disposed on the first soft layer 601A1. In such anembodiment, the first hard layer 601B1 may be positioned between thefirst soft layer 601A1 and the second soft layer 601A2.

In such an embodiment, the second soft layer 601A2 may be disposed onthe first hard layer 601B1. In such an embodiment, the second soft layer601A2 may be positioned between the first hard layer 601B1 and thesecond hard layer 601B2.

In such an embodiment, the second hard layer 601B2 may be disposed onthe second soft layer 601A2. In such an embodiment, the second hardlayer 601B2 may be positioned between the second soft layer 601A2 andthe first hard coating layer 611.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first soft layer 601A1, the first hardlayer 601B1, the second soft layer 601A2 and the second hard layer 601B2may have a substantially same thickness as each other. In an alternativeexemplary embodiment, at least two of the first soft layer 601A1, thefirst hard layer 601B1, the second soft layer 601A2 and the second hardlayer 601B2 may have different thicknesses from each other. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the first hard layer 601B1 (or thesecond hard layer 601B2) may have a thickness greater than a thicknessof the first soft layer 601A1 (or the second soft layer 601A2).

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard layer 601B1 (or the secondhard layer 601B2) and the first soft layer 601A1 (or the second softlayer 601A2) have different hardnesses from each other. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the first hard layer 601B1 may have a hardnessgreater than a hardness of the first soft layer 601A1 (or the secondsoft layer 601A2). In such an embodiment, the second hard layer 601B2may have a hardness greater than a hardness of the first soft layer601A1 (or the second soft layer 601A2). In an exemplary embodiment, thefirst hard layer 601B1 and the second hard layer 601B2 may have asubstantially same hardness as each other, and the first soft layer601A1 and the second soft layer 601A2 may have a substantially samehardness as each other.

Each of the first hard layer 601B1 and the second hard layer 601B2 mayinclude a material substantially the same as a material included in thehard layer 601B described above with reference to FIG. 3.

Each of the first soft layer 601A1 and the second soft layer 601A2 mayinclude a material substantially the same as a material included in thesoft layer 601A described above with reference to FIG. 3.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer 601 may include a greaternumber of soft layers and hard layers than the soft layers 601A1 and601A2 and the hard layers 601B1 and 601B2 described above with referenceto FIG. 5.

The first hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612of FIG. 5 are substantially identical to the first hard coating layer611 and the second hard coating layer 612 described above with referenceto FIG. 1.

The base layer 601 of FIG. 5 may have a thickness substantially equal toa thickness of the base layer 601 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window 600-6 for a display device includesa first auxiliary layer 701, a base layer 601, a second auxiliary layer702, a first hard coating layer 611 and a second hard coating layer 612,as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The first auxiliary layer 701 may be disposed on a lower surface of thebase layer 601. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, when one oftwo opposing surfaces of the base layer 601 facing each other in anX-axis direction that is more adjacent to the first hard coating layer611 is defined as an upper surface of the base layer 601 and the otherof the two opposing surfaces of the base layer 601 is defined as a lowersurface of the base layer 601, the first auxiliary layer 701 may bedisposed on the lower surface of the base layer 601 to face the lowersurface of the base layer 601.

The second auxiliary layer 702 may be disposed on the upper surface ofthe base layer 601. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the secondauxiliary layer 702 may be disposed on the upper surface of the baselayer 601 to face the upper surface of the base layer 601. In such anembodiment, the second auxiliary layer 702 may be positioned between thebase layer 601 and the first hard coating layer 611.

In such an embodiment, the base layer 601 may be positioned between thefirst and second auxiliary layers 701 and 702.

The first auxiliary layer 701 and the second auxiliary layer 702 mayimprove heat resistance of the base layer 601. In such an embodiment,each of the first auxiliary layer 701 and the second auxiliary layer 702may include one of polyimide (“PI”), PC, polyethersulfone, polyethylenenaphthalate (“PEN”), polyphenylene sulfide and opaque liquid crystalpolymer (“LCP”). In one exemplary embodiment, for example, each of thefirst auxiliary layer 701 and the second auxiliary layer 702 may includePI or polyethersulfone which have a high glass transition temperature ofabout 280 degrees or higher and have transparency suitable for a windowof a display device.

Alternatively, the window 600-6 for a display device may include onlyone of the first auxiliary layer 701 and the second auxiliary layer 702described above.

The base layer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hardcoating layer 612 of FIG. 6 are substantially identical to the baselayer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hard coatinglayer 612 described above with reference FIG. 1.

The window 600-6 of FIG. 6 may be manufactured by the following method.

In such a method, the base layer 601 is provided or formed on the firstauxiliary layer 701.

Subsequently, the second auxiliary layer 702 is provided or formed onthe base layer 601.

Next, a material for the first hard coating layer 611 is applied on thesecond auxiliary layer 702.

Thereafter, the first hard coating layer 611 is cured by heat orultraviolet rays.

Next, a material for the second hard coating layer 612 is applied on thecured first hard coating layer 611.

Then, the second hard coating layer 612 is cured by heat or ultravioletrays.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a window for a displaydevice according to another alternative exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window 600-7 for a display device mayinclude a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 and a secondhard coating layer 612, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In such an embodiment,the second hard coating layer 612 may have a multilayer structureincluding at least two layers 611 a and 611 b. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the second hard coating layer 612 may include afirst layer 611 a and a second layer 611 b arranged along the Z-axisdirection

In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer 611 a may be disposed on thebase layer 601. In such an embodiment, the first layer 611 a may bepositioned between the base layer 601 and the second layer 611 b.

In such an embodiment, the second layer 611 b may be disposed on thefirst layer 611 a. In such an embodiment, the second layer 611 b may bepositioned between the first layer 611 a and the second hard coatinglayer 612.

The first layer 611 a and the second layer 611 b may have asubstantially same thickness as each other or different thicknesses fromeach other.

Each of the first layer 611 a and the second layer 611 b may be formedusing the material for the first hard coating layer 611 described above.In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer 611 a and the second layer611 b may include a substantially same material as each other ordifferent materials from each other.

The base layer 601 and the second hard coating layer 612 of FIG. 7 aresubstantially identical to the base layer 601 and the second hardcoating layer 612 described above with reference to FIG. 1.

The first hard coating layer 611 of FIG. 7 may have a thicknesssubstantially equal to a thickness of the first hard coating layer 611of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a window for adisplay device according to another alternative exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary embodiment of a window 600-8 for a display device mayinclude a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 and a secondhard coating layer 612, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In such an embodiment,an interface S1 (hereinafter, a first interface) between the base layer601 and the first hard coating layer 611 may have a concavo-convexshape. In such an embodiment, the first interface S1 may includedepressed portions 11 a and 22 a and prominent portions 11 b and 22 b.In such an embodiment, an adhesive force between the base layer 601 andthe first hard coating layer 611 may be improved.

The first interface S1 includes surfaces 11 and 22 of the base layer 601and the first hard coating layer 611 that face each other. Among thefacing surfaces 11 and 22 of the first interface S1, when the surface ofthe base layer 601 is defined as a first surface 11 and the surface ofthe first hard coating layer 611 is defined as a second surface 22, thefirst surface 11 includes a depressed portion 11 a and a prominentportion 11 b, and the second surface 22 includes a depressed portion 22a and a prominent portion 22 b. In such an embodiment, the prominentportion 11 b of the first surface 11 is inserted into the depressedportion 22 a of the second surface 22, and the prominent portion 22 b ofthe second surface 22 is inserted into the depressed portion 11 a of thefirst surface 11.

In an exemplary embodiment, the prominent portions 11 b and 22 b of thefirst interface S1 may have a triangular prism shape, as shown in FIG.8. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the prominent portions 11 band 22 b of the first interface S1 may have a quadrangular prism shapeor a semicircular prism shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, an interface S2 (hereinafter, a secondinterface) between the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hardcoating layer 612 may have a concavo-convex shape. In such anembodiment, the second interface S2 may include depressed portions 33 aand 44 a and prominent portions 33 b and 44 b. In such an embodiment, anadhesive force between the first hard coating layer 611 and the secondhard coating layer 612 may be improved.

The second interface S2 includes surfaces 33 and 44 of the first hardcoating layer 611 and the second hard coating layer 612 that face eachother. Among the facing surfaces 33 and 44 of the second interface S2,when the surface of the first hard coating layer 611 is defined as athird surface 33 and the surface of the second hard coating layer 612 isdefined as a fourth surface 44, the third surface 33 includes adepressed portion 33 a and a prominent portion 33 b and the fourthsurface 44 includes a depressed portion 44 a and a prominent portion 44b. In such an embodiment, the prominent portion 33 b of the thirdsurface 33 is inserted into the depressed portion 44 a of the fourthsurface 44, and the prominent portion 44 b of the fourth surface 44 isinserted into the depressed portion 33 a of the third surface 33.

In an exemplary embodiment, the prominent portions 33 b and 44 b of thesecond interface S2 may have a triangular prism shape, as shown in FIG.8. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the prominent portions 33 band 44 b of the second interface S2 may have a quadrangular prism shapeor a semicircular prism shape.

An extension direction of the prominent portions 11 b and 22 b includedin the first interface S1 and an extension direction of the prominentportions 33 b and 44 b included in the second interface S2 may crosseach other. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the prominent portions 11 b and 22 b of the first interface S1extend in a direction parallel to a Y axis and the prominent portions 33b and 44 b of the second interface S2 extend in a direction parallel tothe X axis. In such an embodiment, the luminance of a light passingthrough the window 600-8 may be improved in addition to the improvementin adhesion between adjacent layers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the prominent portions 11 b and 22 b of thefirst interface S1 and the prominent portions 33 b and 44 b of thesecond interface S2 may have a substantially same shape as each other,as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, although not illustrated, theprominent portions 11 b and 22 b of the first interface S1 and theprominent portions 33 b and 44 b of the second interface S2 may havedifferent shapes from each other. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the prominent portions 11 b and 22 b of the first interface S1may have a triangular prism shape and the prominent portions 33 b and 44b of the second interface S2 may have a quadrangular prism shape.

Other features the base layer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 andthe second hard coating layer 612 of FIG. 8 are substantially the sameas those of the base layer 601, the first hard coating layer 611, andthe second hard coating layer 612 described above with reference to FIG.1.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are views showing an exemplary embodiment of amethod of manufacturing a first hard coating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first hard coating layer 611 may bemanufactured through a half curing process, which will hereinafter bedescribed in detail.

In such an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, a material for thefirst layer 611 a is applied on the base layer 601.

Then, the first layer 611 a is half-cured by ultraviolet rays or heat.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, a material for the second layer611 b is applied on the half-cured first layer 611 a.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the first layer 611 a and the secondlayer 611 b are fully cured by ultraviolet rays or heat. In such anembodiment, this complete curing fully cures the first layer 611 a andthe second layer 611 b to provide the first hard coating layer 611.

In such an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1 or 7, a material for thesecond hard coating layer 612 is applied on the first hard coating layer611 and a curing process of the second hard coating layer 612 isperformed.

In an exemplary embodiment, an interface 77 between the fully curedfirst and second layers 611 a and 611 b be selectively formed dependingon the material for the first layer 611 a and the material for thesecond layer 611 b.

In an exemplary embodiment where the first hard coating layer 611 has amultilayer structure including three or more layers, at least two of thethree or more layers may have different thicknesses from each other.Alternatively, the three or more layers may all have a substantiallysame thickness as each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, where the thickness of the first hardcoating layer 611 of the window 600-1 is sufficiently thick, the firsthard coating layer 611 may be formed to be thick by the half-curingprocess described above with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C.

An exemplary embodiment of the windows 600-1, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5,600-6, 600-7 or 600-8 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4,5, 6, 7 and 8 may further include the ultraviolet blocking element 65described above with reference to FIG. 2. In such an embodiment, atleast one of the first auxiliary layer 701 and the second auxiliarylayer 702 described above with reference to FIG. 7 may further includethe ultraviolet blocking element 65.

In an exemplary embodiment of the window 600-1, 600-2, 600-6, 600-7 or600-8 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8, the baselayer 601 may include soft layers 601A, 601 a, 601A1 and 601A2 and hardlayers 601B, 601 b 1, 601 b 2, 601B1 and 601B2 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4and 5.

An exemplary embodiment of the window 600-1, 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5,600-7 or 600-8 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7and 8 may further include at least one of the first and second auxiliarylayers 701 and 702 illustrated in FIG. 6.

In an exemplary embodiment of the window 600-1, 600-2, 600-3, 600-4,600-5, 600-6 or 600-8 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6 and 8, the first hard coating layer 611 may have a multilayerstructure including a plurality of layers (e.g., the first layer 611 aand the second layer 611 b) as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In an exemplary embodiment of the window 600-1, 600-2, 600-3, 600-4,600-5, 600-6 or 600-7 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6 and 7, interfaces of adjacent layers thereof may have aconcavo-convex shape as illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectionalview taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 10. More particularly, FIG. 11 showsthe display device of FIG. 10 in a state in which all elements thereofare combined.

An exemplary embodiment, a display device 1000 includes a frame 301, apanel support portion 302, a display panel 303, a touch sensing portion304, a window 305, a first pressure sensing portion 401, a secondpressure sensing portion 402 and a third pressure sensing portion 403,as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

In such an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the frame 301may include a base portion 311 and a side portion 312.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the base portion 311 of theframe 301 may have a quadrangular plate shape, as illustrated in FIG.10.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the side portion 312 of theframe 301 may have a quadrangular ring shape or a quadrangular closedloop shape, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The side portion 312 has a shapeprotruding from an edge portion of the base portion 311. The sideportion 312 may protrude at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect toa surface of the base portion 311. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the side portions 312 may protrude in the Z-axis direction. Inan exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the baseportion 311 and the side portion 312 may be integrally formed as asingle unitary and indivisible unit.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the side portion312 may have a stepped cross-section. In such an embodiment, the sideportions 312 may include an inner side portion 312 a and an outer sideportion 312 b having different heights from each other.

Each of the inner side portion 312 a and the outer side portion 312 bmay have a quadrangular ring shape or a quadrangular closed loop shape.The outer side portion 312 b surrounds the inner side portion 312 a. Theouter side portion 312 b has a height greater than a height of the innerside portion 312 a. Herein, the respective heights of the inner sideportion 312 a and the outer side portion 312 b mean distances of topsurfaces thereof with respect to a bottom surface of the base portion311 in the Z-axis direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the height ofthe outer side portion 312 b measured in the Z-axis direction withrespect to the base portion 311 is higher than the height of the innerside portion 312 a measured in the Z-axis direction with respect to thebase portion 311. The inner side portion 312 a and the outer sideportion 312 b may be integrally formed as a single unitary andindivisible unit.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, although not illustrated, theside portion 312 may not include the outer side portion 312 b. In suchan embodiment, a portion of the base portion 311 corresponding to theouter side portion 312 b may be removed.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the panel supportportion 302 is disposed between the base portion 311 of the frame 301and the window 305. The panel support portion 302 is located at a space(hereinafter, an accommodation space) defined by being surrounded by thebase portion 311, the inner side portion 312 a and the window 305 of theframe 301.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the panelsupport portion 302 includes a support base 302 a and a support plate302 b.

The support base 302 a is disposed between the support plate 302 b andthe base portion 311 of the frame 301. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the support base 302 a may be positioned between a centerportion of the support plate 302 b and a center portion of the baseportion 311.

The support base 302 a may have a bar shape, as illustrated in FIG. 10.Such a bar-shaped support base 302 a may be positioned parallel to twofacing sides of four sides of the side portion 312. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the support base 302a may be parallel to two sides that face each other and have relativelylonger lengths among the four sides of the side portion 312. These twosides may be sides facing each other in the X-axis direction.

In an exemplar embodiment, the support base 302 a combines, e.g.,fastens, the support plate 302 b to the frame 301. In such anembodiment, one side end portion of the support base 302 a is fastenedto the support plate 302 b and another end of the support base 302 a isfastened to the base portion 311 of the frame 301.

The support base 302 a may include an elastic material. Accordingly,when the window 305 is pressed in the −Z-axis direction by a finger 222or the like, the support base 302 a may be compressed by the pressingforce. However, when this force is removed, the support base 302 a isrestored to the original shape thereof.

The support plate 302 b may have a quadrangular plate shape. The supportplate 302 b has an area less than an area of the base portion 311described above. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10and 11, the support plate 302 b is surrounded by the inner side portion312 a. In such an embodiment, the inner side portion 312 a surrounds thesupport plate 302 b while being spaced apart from the support plate 302b with a predetermined distance. The support plate 302 b faces a sidesurface of the inner side portion 312 a. The side surface of the innerside portion 312 a may be a surface parallel to a plane defined by the Yaxis and the Z axis (hereinafter, a YZ plane) or a surface parallel to aplane defined by the X axis and the Z axis (hereinafter, an XZ plane).

In an exemplary embodiment, the support plate 302 b and the support base302 a may include a substantially same material as each other, forexample, an elastic material. In one exemplary embodiment, for example,the support plate 302 b and the support base 302 a may include a formtape or a foam tape.

The display panel 303 displays images. In an exemplary embodiment,although not illustrated, the display panel 303 includes a plurality ofpixels for displaying images. The display panel 303 has a display area303 a and a non-display area 303 b, and the pixels are located in thedisplay area 303 a of the display panel 303.

The display panel 303 is disposed at the accommodation space describedabove, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The display panel 303 may be aflexible display panel 303 that is bendable.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a portion 330(hereinafter, a center portion) of the display panel 303 is supported bythe panel support portion 302. The center portion 330 of the displaypanel 303 may be positioned between the support plate 302 b and thewindow 305.

In an exemplary embodiment, another portion 331 a (hereinafter, a firstedge portion 331 a) of the display panel 303 is positioned between thesupport plate 302 b and the base portion 311, as illustrated in FIG. 10.In such an embodiment, the first edge portion 331 a is positionedbetween one side edge of the support plate 302 b and the base portion311.

In an exemplary embodiment, still another portion 331 b (hereinafter, afirst curve portion 331 b) of the display panel 303 may have a curvedshape. The first curve portion 331 b passes through a gap between oneside edge of the support plate 302 b and the inner side portion 312 a.The first curve portion 331 b faces a side surface of the inner sideportion 312 a. The first curve portion 331 b is connected between thecenter portion 330 and the first edge portion 331 a.

In an exemplary embodiment, still another portion 332 a (hereinafter, asecond edge portion) of the display panel 303 is positioned between thesupport plate 302 b and the base portion 311, as illustrated in FIG. 11.In such an embodiment, the second edge portion 332 a is positionedbetween another side edge of the support plate 302 b and the baseportion 311.

In an exemplary embodiment, still another portion 332 b (hereinafter, asecond curve portion) of the display panel 303 has a curved shape. Thesecond curve portion 332 b passes through a gap between another sideedge of the support plate 302 b and the inner side portion 312 a. Thesecond curve portion 332 b faces another side surface of the inner sideportion 312 a. The second curve portion 332 b is connected between thecenter portion 330 and the second edge portion 332 a.

The center portion 330, the first curve portion 331 b, the first edgeportion 331 a, the second curve portion 332 b and the second edgeportion 332 a of the display panel 303 may be integrally formed as asingle unitary and indivisible unit.

The window 305 faces at least a portion of the frame 301. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the window 305 may face the sideportion 312 of the frame 301. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 11, an edge of the window 305 faces an upper surface of theinner side portion 312 a. The upper surface of the inner side portion312 a is a surface parallel to a plane defined by the X axis and the Yaxis (hereinafter, an XY plane).

The window 305 has a light transmitting area 305 a and a light blockingarea 305 b, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The light transmitting area 305 aof the window 305 is located to correspond to (e.g., to overlap in aplan view in the Z axis direction) the display area 303 a of the displaypanel 303.

The light blocking area 305 b of the window 305 is located at an edgeportion of the window 305. The light blocking area 305 b has a ringshape surrounding the light transmitting area 305 a.

In such an embodiment, the window 305 may be substantially identical toan exemplary embodiment of the window 600-1, 600-2, 600-3, 600-4, 600-5,600-6, 600-7 or 600-8 described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. In such an embodiment, the window 305 may include thebase layer 601, the first hard coating layer 611 and the second hardcoating layer 612, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

The window 305 may further include a light blocking member 355 and atransparent tape 356.

The transparent tape 356 is located at a lower surface of the base layer601. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the transparent tape 356may be attached to the lower surface of the base layer 601.

The light blocking member 355 is attached to the base layer 601 by thetransparent tape 356. The light blocking member 355 is located at thelight blocking area 305 b.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base layer 601 may directly contact thetouch sensing portion 304. In such an embodiment, a portion of the baselayer 601 located at the light transmitting area 305 a may directlycontact the touch sensing portion 304. In an alternative exemplaryembodiment, where the touch sensing portion 304 and the third pressuresensing portion 403 are not included in the display device 1000, aportion of the base layer 601 located at the light transmitting area 305a may directly contact the display panel 303.

In an exemplary embodiment, where the window 305 has a structure asillustrated in FIG. 6, the first auxiliary layer 701 may be positionedbetween the transparent tape 356 and the base layer 601.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hard coating layers 611 and 612 includedin the window 305 are located in an outer side direction of (oroutwardly of) the display device 1000 with respect to the base layer601, the hard coating layers 611 and 612 are subjected to compressivestress against external impacts. Accordingly, in such an embodiment,impact resistance of the window 305 may be improved.

The touch sensing portion 304 may be positioned between the displaypanel 303 and the window 305, as illustrated in FIG. 11. When a touch isapplied to the window 305 by the finger 222 or the like, the touchsensing portion 304 may sense the touch. The touch sensing portion 304generates a touch sensing signal as a result of the sensing andtransmits the generated touch sensing signal to a panel driver 306.Although not illustrated, the touch sensing portion 304 may include atleast one touch sensing element.

The first pressure sensing portion 401 is positioned between the window305 and the frame 301. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, thefirst pressure sensing portion 401 may be positioned between an edge ofthe window 305 and the inner side portion 312 a, as illustrated in FIG.11. Specifically, the first pressure sensing portion 401 may bepositioned between an edge of the window 305 and the upper surface ofthe inner side portion 312 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the window 305 is pressed in the −Z-axisdirection by the finger 222 or the like, the first pressure sensingportion 401 senses the pressing force, i.e., the pressure. The firstpressure sensing portion 401 generates a pressure sensing signal as aresult of the sensing and transmits the generated pressure sensingsignal to the panel driver 306.

The panel driver 306 may include a flexible circuit board 306 a such asa chip-on-film (“COF”) and a printed circuit board 306 b connected tothe flexible circuit board 306 a. In an exemplary embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 9, the panel driver 306 may be electricallyconnected to the non-display area 303 b of the display panel 303.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first pressure sensing portion 401 mayinclude a capacitor including a first electrode 411, a second electrode412 and an elastic element 410. The first electrode 411 and the secondelectrode 412 face each other with the elastic element 410 interposedtherebetween. The first electrode 411 and the second electrode 412correspond to one electrode and another electrode of the capacitor,respectively, and the elastic element 410 corresponds to a dielectricelement of the capacitor.

In such an embodiment, when a thickness of the elastic element 410changes due to the pressure applied to the first pressure sensingportion 401, a distance between the first electrode 411 and the secondelectrode 412 changes depending on the changed thickness, and acapacitance of the capacitor changes based on the changed distance. Thefirst pressure sensing portion 401 may output a voltage across thecapacitor, which has been changed due to the capacitance change of thecapacitor, as a pressure sensing signal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1000 may include aplurality of first pressure sensing portions 401. In such an embodiment,the plurality of first pressure sensing portions 401 may be located atdifferent positions on the upper surface of the inner side portion 312a, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The second pressure sensing portion 402 is located at the panel supportportion 302 and the first edge portion 331 a of the display panel 303.In one exemplary embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, thesecond pressure sensing portion 402 may be positioned between thesupport plate 302 b of the panel support portion 302 and the first edgeportion 331 a of the display panel 303. Herein, when a portion of thedisplay panel 303 where the display area 303 a is located is defined asa front surface of the display panel 303 and an opposite surface of thefront surface is defined as a back surface of the display panel 303, thesecond pressure sensing portion 402 is located at the back surface ofthe first edge portion 331 a. The front surface of the display panel 303includes a surface facing the window 305. The front surface of thedisplay panel 303 at the first edge portion 331 a faces the base portion311, and the back surface at the first edge portion 331 a faces thesecond pressure sensing portion 402.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the window305 is pressed in the −Z-axis direction by the finger 222 or the like,the pressure corresponding to the pressing force is transmitted to thetouch sensing portion 304, the display panel 303 and the panel supportportion 302 below the window 305. Then, the support base 302 a iscompressed by the pressure and the support plate 302 b descends towardthe base portion 311. In such an embodiment, the support plate 302 bpresses the second pressure sensing portion 402 and thus the secondpressure sensing portion 402 senses a pressure corresponding to thepressing force. The second pressure sensing portion 402 generates apressure sensing signal as a result of the sensing and transmits thegenerated pressure sensing signal to the panel driver 306.

The second pressure sensing portion 402 may be a capacitor including afirst electrode 421, a second electrode 422 and an elastic element 420.In such an embodiment, the second pressure sensing portion 402 may havea structure substantially the same as that of the first pressure sensingportion 401 described above, and any repetitive detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1000 may include aplurality of second pressure sensing portions 402. In such anembodiment, the plurality of second pressure sensing portions 402 may belocated at different positions of the first edge portion 331 a and thesecond edge portion 332 a, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

The third pressure sensing portion 403 may be positioned between thedisplay panel 303 and the window 305. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the third pressure sensing portion 403 may be positionedbetween the front surface of the display panel 303 and the lighttransmitting area 305 a of the window 305. In such an embodiment, thethird pressure sensing portion 403 may be positioned between the displayarea 303 a of the display panel 303 and the light transmitting area 305a of the window 305.

In an exemplary embodiment, where the touch sensing portion 304 ispositioned between the display panel 303 and the window 305, the thirdpressure sensing portion 403 may be positioned between the display panel303 and the touch sensing portion 304. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the third pressure sensing portion 403 may be positionedbetween the front surface of the display panel 303 and the touch sensingportion 304. In such an embodiment, the third pressure sensing portion403 may be positioned between the display area 303 a of the displaypanel 303 and the touch sensing portion 304.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, although not illustrated, thethird pressure sensing portion 403 may be located in the touch sensingportion 304.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the window 305 is pressed in the −Z-axisdirection by the finger 222 or the like, the pressure corresponding tothe pressed force is transmitted to the third pressure sensing portion403 below the window 305. Accordingly, the third pressure sensingportion 403 senses the pressure. The third pressure sensing portion 403generates a pressure sensing signal as a result of the sensing andtransmits the generated pressure sensing signal to the panel driver 306.

The third pressure sensing portion 403 may include a capacitor includinga first electrode 431, a second electrode 432 and an elastic element430. In such an embodiment, the third pressure sensing portion 403 mayhave a structure substantially the same as that of the first pressuresensing portion 401 described above, and any repetitive detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1000 may include aplurality of third pressure sensing portion 403. In such an embodiment,the plurality of third pressure sensing portion 403 may be located atdifferent positions of the display area 303 a included in the displaypanel 303.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing sensitivities of first, second and thirdpressure sensing portions of FIG. 11.

The first pressure sensing portion 401, the second pressure sensingportion 402 and the third pressure sensing portion 403 described abovemay have different sensitivities (e.g., signal to noise ratio) from eachother, which hereinafter will be referred to as pressure sensitivity.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the first pressure sensingportion 401 of the first, second and third pressure sensing portions401, 402 and 403 may have a highest pressure sensitivity, and the thirdpressure sensing portion 403 may have a lowest pressure sensitivity. Insuch an embodiment, the second pressure sensing portion 402 may have apressure sensitivity higher than that of the first pressure sensingportion 401 and lower than that of the third pressure sensing portion403.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first pressure sensing portion 401operates in a first operation section S1, the second pressure sensingportion 402 operates in a second operation section S2, and the thirdpressure sensing portion 403 operates in a third operation section S3.In such an embodiment, the first pressure sensing portion 401 generatesa pressure sensing signal in the first operation section S1, the secondpressure sensing portion 402 generates a pressure sensing signal in thesecond operation section S2, and the third pressure sensing portion 403generates a pressure sensing signal in the third operation section S3.

Due to such differences of the first pressure sensing portion 401, thesecond pressure sensing portion 402 and the third pressure sensingportion 403 in sensitivity, the first pressure sensing portion 401, thesecond pressure sensing portion 402 and the third pressure sensingportion 403 respond to forces of different magnitudes. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the first pressure sensing portion 401 respondsto a force substantially equal to or greater than a small force F1(hereinafter, a first pressure), the third pressure sensing portion 403responds to a force substantially equal to or greater than a large forceF3 (hereinafter, a third pressure), and the second pressure sensingportion 402 responds to a force substantially equal to or greater thanan intermediate force F2 (hereinafter, a second pressure) which has amagnitude between the first pressure F1 and the third pressure F3.

Accordingly, in such an embodiment, when a pressure substantially equalto or greater than the first pressure F1 and less than the secondpressure F2 is applied to the window 305 of the display device 1000 inthe −Z-axis direction, the first pressure sensing portion 401 outputs apressure sensing signal, while each of the second and third pressuresensing portions 402 and 403 does not output a pressure sensing signal.

In such an embodiment, when a pressure substantially equal to or greaterthan the second pressure F2 and less than the third pressure F3 isapplied to the window 305 of the display device 1000 in the −Z-axisdirection, each of the first and second pressure sensing portions 401and 402 outputs a pressure sensing signal, while the third pressuresensing portion 403 does not output a pressure sensing signal.

In such an embodiment, when a pressure substantially equal to or greaterthan the third pressure F3 is applied to the window 305 of the displaydevice 1000 in the −Z-axis direction, each of the first, second andthird pressure sensing portions 401, 402 and 403 outputs a pressuresensing signal.

In such an embodiment, the first, second and third pressure sensingportions 401, 402 and 403 may have different levels of modulus (orelastic force) to achieve the sensitivity differences described above.In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the moduli of the elasticelements 410, 420 and 430 respectively included in the first, second andthird pressure sensing portions 401, 402 and 403 satisfy the followinginequation: ε1<ε2<ε3.

In the inequation above, ε1 denotes a modulus (hereinafter, a firstmodulus) of the elastic element 410 included in the first pressuresensing portion 401, ε2 denotes a modulus (hereinafter, a secondmodulus) of the elastic element 420 included in the second pressuresensing portion 402, and ε3 denotes a modulus (hereinafter, a thirdmodulus) of the elastic element 430 included in the third pressuresensing portion 403.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, the first modulus ε1 isthe smallest and the third modulus ε3 is the greatest. In such anembodiment, the second modulus ε2 is greater than the first modulus ε1and less than the third modulus ε3.

In such an embodiment, as described above, the modulus ε1 of the elasticelement 410 of the first pressure sensing portion 401 may be thesmallest, and the modulus ε3 of the elastic element 430 of the thirdpressure sensing portion 403 may be the greatest. In such an embodiment,the elastic element 420 of the second pressure sensing portion 402 mayhave a modulus ε2 which is greater than that of the elastic element 410of the first pressure sensing portion 401 and less than that of theelastic element 430 of the third pressure sensing portion 403.Accordingly, under a same pressure, the elastic element 410 of the firstpressure sensing portion 401 is relatively easily deformed, while theelastic element 430 of the third pressure sensing portion 403 is notrelatively easily deformed.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, since the first, secondand third pressure sensing portions 401, 402 and 403 have differentsensitivities from each other, when the pressure applied to the window305 gradually increases, the first pressure sensing portion 401 operatesfirst, the second pressure sensing portion 402 operates thereafter, andthen the third pressure sensing portion 403 operates.

The elastic elements 410, 420 and 430 respectively included in thefirst, second and third pressure sensing portions 401, 402 and 403 mayhave different thicknesses from each other. In one exemplary embodiment,for example, the thicknesses of the elastic elements 410, 420 and 430respectively included in the first, second and third pressure sensingportions 401, 402 and 403 satisfy the following inequation: d1≤d2>>d3(or d1≤d2 and d3<<d2).

In the inequation above, d1 denotes a thickness (hereinafter, a firstthickness) of the elastic element 410 included in the first pressuresensing portion 401, d2 denotes a thickness (hereinafter, a secondthickness) of the elastic element 420 included in the second pressuresensing portion 402, and d3 denotes a thickness (hereinafter, a thirdthickness) of the elastic element 430 included in the third pressuresensing portion 403.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second thickness d2 is substantiallyequal to or greater than the first thickness d1, and the third thicknessd3 is less than the second thickness d2. In such an embodiment, thethird thickness d3 is considerably less than the second thickness d2.

Due to the above-described differences between the moduli andthicknesses of the elastic elements, when a pressure applied to thewindow 305 gradually increases, the elastic element 410 of the firstpressure sensing portion 401 is firstly compressed to a maximum, theelastic element 420 of the second pressure sensing portion 402 iscompressed to a maximum thereafter, and then the elastic element 430 ofthe third pressure sensing portion 403 is compressed to a maximum.

The thickness of the elastic element determines an overall thickness ofthe pressure sensing portion including the elastic element, such thatthe less the thickness of the elastic element, the less the overallthickness of the pressure sensing portion. On the other hand, the lessthe thickness of the elastic element, the greater the probability ofoccurrence of sensing error (or sensing noise). Accordingly, a sensingerror may occur from the third pressure sensing portion 403 and thefirst pressure sensing portion 401 which include the elastic elementhaving a relatively small thickness. However, in an exemplaryembodiment, since the second pressure sensing portion 402 which includesthe elastic element 420 having a relatively large thickness operatestogether with the third pressure sensing portion 403 and the firstpressure sensing portion 401, the sensing error may be substantiallyminimized.

In such an embodiment, since the first pressure sensing portion 401 andthe third pressure sensing portion 403 which relatively greatly affectthe overall thickness of the display device 1000 include elasticelements having a relatively small thickness while the second pressuresensing portion 402 which does not affect the overall thickness of thedisplay device 1000 includes the elastic element 420 having a relativelylarge thickness, the sensing error may be substantially minimized whilethe display device 1000 is allowed to have a thin thickness.

In an exemplary embodiment, at a room temperature, the elastic element410 of the first pressure sensing portion 401 may have a modulus in arange from about 0.01 megapascal (Mpa) to about 3,000 MPa, the elasticelement 420 of the second pressure sensing portion 402 may have amodulus in a range from about 0.01 Mpa to about 5,000 MPa, and theelastic element 430 of the third pressure sensing portion 403 may have amodulus in a range from about 0.01 MPa to about 8,000 MPa. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, the elastic element 410 of the firstpressure sensing portion 401 may have a modulus in a range from about0.1 Mpa to about 3,000 MPa, the elastic element 420 of the secondpressure sensing portion 402 may have a modulus in a range from about3,000 Mpa to about 5,000 MPa, and the elastic element 430 of the thirdpressure sensing portion 403 may have a modulus in a range from about5,000 MPa to about 8,000 MPa.

The elastic element 410 of the first pressure sensing portion 401 mayinclude at least one of PI, an acryl-based material, a urethane-basedmaterial, a Si-rubber-based material, a synthetic rubber and a syntheticresin. Alternatively, the elastic element 410 of the first pressuresensing portion 401 may be in the form of a foamed film (or a porousfilm) including at least one of a synthetic rubber and a syntheticresin. In such an embodiment, the synthetic rubber may include amaterial based on nitrile or acryl, for example. In such an embodiment,the synthetic resin may include a thermoplastic elastomer based onpolyolefin or polyester and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. In suchan embodiment, the synthetic resin may include a material having rubberelasticity such as polyurethane or polybutadiene or soft polyvinylchloride. In addition, the synthetic resin may include a compound of amaterial having rubber elasticity, such as polyurethane or polybutadieneor soft polyvinyl chloride, combined with at least one compounding agentof a hard polymer, a plasticizer and a softener.

The elastic element 420 of the second pressure sensing portion 402 andthe elastic element 430 of the third pressure sensing portion 403 mayinclude a material substantially the same as a material included in theelastic element 410 of the first pressure sensing portion 401.

The panel driver 306 controls operation of the display panel 303 basedon the pressure sensing signal from the first pressure sensing portion401, the pressure sensing signal from the second pressure sensingportion 402, and the pressure sensing signal from the third pressuresensing portion 403. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the paneldriver 306 may display a warning message, a warning symbol, or the likein the display area 303 a of the display panel 303 according to thepressure sensing signal from the third pressure sensing portion 403. Insuch an embodiment, when the display panel 303 is pressed or folded witha force larger than a predetermined force, the panel driver 306 maydisplay a warning message or warning symbol to effectively prevent thedisplay panel 303 from being damaged.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a portion of an exemplary embodiment of adisplay panel of FIG. 10, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken alongline I-I′ of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken alongline II-IP of FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, an exemplary embodiment of the displaypanel 303 includes a substrate 110, a driving circuit portion 130 on thesubstrate 110, an organic light emitting element 210 on the drivingcircuit portion 130, and a sealing member 250 on the organic lightemitting element 210.

One pixel PX may be located at an area defined by a gate line 151, adata line 171 and a common power line 172.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13, adjacent pixelsPX are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, a distance between the common powerline 172 connected to one pixel (hereinafter, a first pixel) and thedata line 171 connected to another pixel adjacent to the first pixel(hereinafter, a second pixel) is longer than a distance between the dataline 171 and the common power line 172 defining a location of the firstpixel. In such an embodiment, a material used for the organic lightemitting element 210 is effectively prevented from being infiltratedinto the second pixel when the organic light emitting element 210 isdeposited at the first pixel through a mask deposition process formanufacturing thereof.

The driving circuit portion 130 for driving the organic light emittingelement 210 is disposed on the substrate 110. The driving circuitportion 130 includes a switching thin film transistor 10, a driving thinfilm transistor 20 and a capacitor 80. The driving circuit portion 130drives a light emitting layer 212 of the organic light emitting element210.

The specific structure of the driving circuit portion 130 and theorganic light emitting element 210 of an exemplary embodiment of thedisplay panel 303 is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, but exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. In such embodiment, the structureof the driving circuit portion 130 and the organic light emittingelement 210 may be variously modified by those skilled in the art.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, one pixel PX includestwo thin film transistors (thin film transistors) and one capacitor, butexemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, one pixelPX may include three or more thin film transistors and two or morecapacitors, and may further include a separate signal line to havevarious structures. Herein, the pixel PX refers to a minimum unit fordisplaying images and may be any one of a red pixel for emitting redlight, a green pixel for emitting green light and a blue pixel foremitting blue light. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 15, a pixel including the organic light emittingelement 210 located at a leftmost side may be a red pixel, a pixelincluding the organic light emitting element 210 located at the centermay be a green pixel, and a pixel including the organic light emittingelement 210 located at a rightmost side may be a blue pixel. In such anembodiment, the leftmost organic light emitting element 210 may be a redorganic light emitting element, the center organic light emittingelement may be a green organic light emitting element and the rightmostorganic light emitting element may be a blue organic light emittingelement.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, one pixel PX includes the switching thinfilm transistor 10, the driving thin film transistor 20, the capacitor80 and the organic light emitting element 210. Herein, the structureincluding the switching thin film transistor 10, the driving thin filmtransistor 20 and the capacitor 80 is referred to as the driving circuitportion 130.

The driving circuit portion 130 includes the gate line 151 disposedalong one direction and the data line 171 and the common power line 172insulated from and intersecting the gate line 151.

The substrate 110 may be a transparent insulating substrate 110including a glass or a transparent plastic. In one exemplary embodiment,for example, the substrate 110 may include at least one of kapton,polyethersulphone (“PES”), PC, PI, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), PEN,polyacrylate (“PAR”), fiber reinforced plastic (“FRP”) and the like.

A first buffer layer 120 may be disposed on the substrate 110. The firstbuffer layer 120 serves to substantially prevent permeation ofundesirable elements and to planarize a surface therebelow, and mayinclude a material suitable for planarizing and/or substantiallypreventing permeation. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, thefirst buffer layer 120 may include at least one of a silicon nitride(SiN_(x)) layer, a silicon oxide (SiO₂) layer and a silicon oxynitride(SiO_(x)N_(y)) layer. However, the first buffer layer 120 may beselectively provided, and may be omitted depending on the kinds of thesubstrate 110 and process conditions thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a switching semiconductor layer 131 and adriving semiconductor layer 132 are disposed on the first buffer layer120. The switching semiconductor layer 131 and the driving semiconductorlayer 132 may include at least one of a polycrystalline silicon layer,an amorphous silicon layer and an oxide semiconductor such as indiumgallium zinc oxide (“IGZO”) and indium zinc tin oxide (“IZTO”). In oneexemplary embodiment, for example, where the driving semiconductor layer132 includes a polycrystalline silicon layer, the driving semiconductorlayer 132 includes a channel area which is not doped with impurities andp+ doped source and drain areas which are formed on opposite sides ofthe channel area. In such an embodiment, p-type impurities, such asboron (B), may be used as dopant ions and B₂H₆ is typically used. Suchimpurities may vary depending on the kinds of thin film transistors.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving thin film transistor 20 employsa p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (“PMOS”) thin film transistorincluding p-type impurities, but exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. Alternatively, the driving thin film transistor 20 may employan n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (“NMOS”) thin film transistor ora complementary metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) thin film transistor.

A gate insulating layer 140 is disposed on the switching semiconductorlayer 131 and the driving semiconductor layer 132. The gate insulatinglayer 140 may include at least one of: tetraethylorthosilicate (“TEOS”),silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) and silicon oxide (SiO₂). In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, the gate insulating layer 140 may have adouble-layer structure where a SiN_(x) layer having a thickness of about40 nanometers (nm) and a TEOS layer having a thickness of about 80 nmare sequentially stacked.

A gate transmission line which includes gate electrodes 152 and 155 isdisposed on the gate insulating layer 140. The gate transmission linefurther includes the gate line 151, a first capacitor plate 158 andother signal lines. In such an embodiment, the gate electrodes 152 and155 are disposed to overlap at least a portion of or the entirety of thesemiconductor layers 131 and 132, e.g., a channel area thereof. The gateelectrodes 152 and 155 serve to substantially prevent the channel areafrom being doped with impurities when a source area and a drain area ofthe semiconductor layers 131 and 132 are doped with impurities duringthe process of forming the semiconductor layers 131 and 132.

The gate electrodes 152 and 155 and the first capacitor plate 158 aredisposed on a substantially same layer and include a substantially samemetal material. The gate electrodes 152 and 155 and the first capacitorplate 158 may include at least one of molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr) andtungsten (W).

An insulating interlayer 160 is disposed on the gate insulating layer140 so as to cover the gate electrodes 152 and 155. The insulatinginterlayer 160, similar to the gate insulating layer 140, may include orinclude silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), TEOS, or the like,but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

A data transmission line which includes source electrodes 173 and 176and drain electrodes 174 and 177 is disposed on the insulatinginterlayer 160. The data transmission line further includes the dataline 171, the common power line 172, a second capacitor plate 178 andother wirings. In such an embodiment, the source electrodes 173 and 176and the drain electrodes 174 and 177 are connected to the source areaand the drain area of the semiconductor layers 131 and 132,respectively, through a contact hole defined at the gate insulatinglayer 140 and the insulating interlayer 160.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, the switching thin filmtransistor 10 includes the switching semiconductor layer 131, theswitching gate electrode 152, the switching source electrode 173 and theswitching drain electrode 174, and the driving thin film transistor 20includes the driving semiconductor layer 132, the driving gate electrode155, the driving source electrode 176 and the driving drain electrode177. However, configurations of the thin film transistors 10 and 20 arenot limited thereto, and thus may be modified into various structuresthat are easily conceived by those skilled in the pertinent art.

In an exemplary embodiment, the capacitor 80 includes the firstcapacitor plate 158 and the second capacitor plate 178 with theinsulating interlayer 160 interposed therebetween.

The switching thin film transistor 10 may function as a switchingelement to select (or selectively turn on) pixels to perform lightemission. The switching gate electrode 152 is connected to the gate line151. The switching source electrode 173 is connected to the data line171. The switching drain electrode 174 is spaced apart from theswitching source electrode 173 and is connected to the first capacitorplate 158.

The driving thin film transistor 20 applies, to a pixel electrode 211, adriving power which allows a light emitting layer 212 of an organiclight emitting element 210 in the selected (or turned-on) pixel to emitlight. The driving gate electrode 155 is connected to the firstcapacitor plate 158. Each of the driving source electrode 176 and thesecond capacitor plate 178 is connected to the common power line 172.The driving drain electrode 177 is connected to the pixel electrode 211of the organic light emitting element 210 through a contact hole.

Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the switching thin film transistor10 is driven by a gate voltage applied to the gate line 151 and servesto transmit a data voltage applied to the data line 171 to the drivingthin film transistor 20. A voltage equivalent to a difference between acommon voltage applied to the driving thin film transistor 20 from thecommon power line 172 and the data voltage transmitted from theswitching thin film transistor 10 is stored in the capacitor 80 and acurrent corresponding to the voltage stored in the capacitor 80 flows tothe organic light emitting element 210 through the driving thin filmtransistor 20, such that the organic light emitting element 210 may emitlight.

A planarization layer 165 is disposed to cover the data transmissionline, e.g., the data line 171, the common power line 172, the sourceelectrodes 173 and 176, the drain electrodes 174 and 177 and the secondcapacitor plate 178, which are patterned using a single mask during amanufacturing process thereof.

The planarization layer 165 serves to substantially eliminate a stepdifference and planarize a surface therebelow to increase luminousefficiency of the organic light emitting element 210 disposed thereon.The planarization layer 165 may include at least one of a PAR resin, anepoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a PA resin, a PI resin, an unsaturatedpolyester resin, a polyphenylen ether resin, a polyphenylene sulfideresin and benzocyclobutene (“BCB”).

The pixel electrode 211 of the organic light emitting element 210 isdisposed on the planarization layer 165. The pixel electrode 211 isconnected to the drain electrode 177 through a contact hole defined inthe planarization layer 165.

A part or all of the pixel electrode 211 is disposed in a pixel area500. That is, the pixel electrode 211 is disposed to correspond to thepixel area 500 defined by a pixel defining layer 190. The pixel defininglayer 190 may include a resin such as a PAR resin and a PI resin.

A first spacer 111 is disposed on the pixel defining layer 190. Thefirst spacer 111 may include a material substantially the same as amaterial included in the pixel defining layer 190. The first spacer 111serves to substantially minimize a height difference between a layerpositioned at the display area 303 a of the display panel 303 and alayer positioned at the non-display area 303 b of the display panel 303.The first spacer 111 may be positioned corresponding to the thirdpressure sensing portion 403.

The light emitting layer 212 is disposed on the pixel electrode 211 inthe pixel area 500, and a common electrode 213 is disposed on the pixeldefining layer 190, the first spacer 111 and the light emitting layer212.

The light emitting layer 212 includes a low molecular organic materialor a high molecular organic material. At least one of a hole injectionlayer and a hole transport layer may further be disposed between thepixel electrode 211 and the light emitting layer 212 and at least one ofan electron transport layer and an electron injection layer may furtherbe disposed between the light emitting layer 212 and the commonelectrode 213.

The pixel electrode 211 and the common electrode 213 may be one of atransmissive electrode, a transflective electrode and a reflectiveelectrode.

A transparent conductive oxide (“TCO”) may be used to form atransmissive electrode. Such TCO may include at least one of indium tinoxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), antimony tin oxide (“ATO”),aluminum zinc oxide (“AZO”), zinc oxide (ZnO), and a combinationthereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, a metal, e.g., magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag),gold (Au), calcium (Ca), lithium (Li), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al) andcopper (Cu), or an alloy thereof, may be used to form a transflectiveelectrode and a reflective electrode. In such an embodiment, whether anelectrode is a transflective type or a reflective type depends on thethickness of the electrode. Typically, the transflective electrode has athickness of about 200 nm, or less and the reflective electrode has athickness of about 300 nm or greater. As the thickness of thetransflective electrode decreases, light transmittance and resistanceincrease. On the contrary, as the thickness of the transflectiveelectrode increases, light transmittance decreases.

In such an embodiment, the transflective electrode and the reflectiveelectrode may have a multilayer structure which includes a metal layerincluding a metal or a metal alloy and a TCO layer stacked on the metallayer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel PX may have a double-sidedemission type structure capable of emitting light in the direction ofthe pixel electrode 211 and the common electrode 213. In such anembodiment, both the pixel electrode 211 and the common electrode 213may be a transmissive or transflective electrode.

The sealing member 250 is disposed on the common electrode 213. Atransparent insulating substrate 110 including a glass, a transparentplastic, or the like may be used as the sealing member 250. In such anembodiment, the sealing member 250 may have a thin film encapsulationstructure in which one or more inorganic layers and one or more organiclayers are alternately laminated one on another. In one exemplaryembodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the sealingmember 250 may include a first inorganic layer 250 a, an organic layer250 b on the first inorganic layer 250 a and a second inorganic layer250 c on the organic layer 250 b.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a cappinglayer 180 may further be disposed between the sealing member 250 and thecommon electrode 213. The capping layer 180 serves to substantiallyprevent damage to the common electrode 213 located below the sealingmember 250 when the sealing member 250 is deposited. The capping layer180 may include an inorganic material.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an impact resistance test of a window.

The impact resistance test of the window includes a ball drop test, inwhich three specimens 600A, 600B, 600C and a spherical iron ball 900 areprepared. The iron ball 900 may have a mass of, for example, about 0.13kilogram (Kg).

A Y-axis coordinate in FIG. 16 means a drop height of the iron ball 900.

The first specimen 600A includes a stainless steel plate 951, analuminum foil 955, a base layer 601 and a first hard coating layer 611.

A thickness of the first hard coating layer 611 of the first specimen600A is about 20 μm.

The second specimen 600B includes a stainless steel plate 951, analuminum foil 955, a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 anda second hard coating layer 612.

A thickness of the first hard coating layer 611 of the second specimen600B is about 20 μm and a thickness of the second hard coating layer 612of the second specimen 600B is about 15 μm.

The third specimen 600C includes a stainless steel plate 951, analuminum foil 955, a light blocking member 355, a transparent tape 356,a base layer 601, a first hard coating layer 611 and a second hardcoating layer 612.

A thickness of the first hard coating layer 611 of the third specimen600C is about 20 μm, and a thickness of the second hard coating layer612 of the third specimen 600C is about 15 μm.

For the ball drop test of the first specimen 600A, the iron ball 900falls from above the first specimen 600A toward the first hard coatinglayer 611 of the first specimen 600A. The drop height of the iron ball900 is about 20 centimeters (cm) for the first drop. The drop heightmeans a distance between the iron ball 900 and the first hard coatinglayer 611 of the first specimen 600A.

The ball drop test for the first specimen 600A is performed severaltimes and the drop height gradually increases as the repetitionprogresses.

When the iron ball 900 hits the first hard coating layer 611 of thefirst specimen 600A, a first drop height at which a visuallyrecognizable mark appears on the aluminum foil 955 of the first specimen600A is measured. More particularly, in the ball drop test for the firstspecimen 600A, the first drop height at which a visually recognizablemark appears on the aluminum foil 955 of the first specimen 600A isabout 60 cm.

Similarly, for the ball drop test of the second specimen 600B, the ironball 900 falls from above the second specimen 600B toward the secondhard coating layer 612 of the second specimen 600B. The drop height ofthe iron ball 900 is about 20 cm for the first time. The drop heightmeans a distance between the iron ball 900 and the second hard coatinglayer 612 of the second specimen 600B.

The ball drop test for the second specimen 600B is performed severaltimes and the drop height gradually increases as the repetitionprogresses.

When the iron ball 900 hits the second hard coating layer 612 of thesecond specimen 600B, a first drop height at which a visuallyrecognizable mark appears on the aluminum foil 955 of the secondspecimen 600B is measured. More particularly, in the ball drop test forthe second specimen 600B, the first drop height at which a visuallyrecognizable mark appears on the aluminum foil 955 of the secondspecimen 600B is about 50 cm.

Similarly, for the ball drop test of the third specimen 600C, the ironball 900 falls from above the third specimen 600C toward the second hardcoating layer 612 of the third specimen 600C. The drop height of theiron ball 900 is about 20 cm for the first time. The drop height means adistance between the iron ball 900 and the second hard coating layer 612of the third specimen 600C.

The ball drop test for the third specimen 600C is performed severaltimes and the drop height gradually increases as the repetitionprogresses.

When the iron ball 900 of the third specimen 600C hits the second hardcoating layer 612, a first drop height at which a visually recognizablemark appears on the aluminum foil 955 of the third specimen 600C ismeasured. More particularly, in the ball drop test for the thirdspecimen 600C, the first drop height at which a visually recognizablemark appears on the aluminum foil 955 of the third specimen 600C isabout 45 cm.

As described above, the higher the first drop height, the better theimpact resistance of the specimen.

As described above with reference to FIG. 16, the specimens 600A, 600Band 600C having the structure of the window according to an exemplaryembodiment have high impact resistance.

In exemplary embodiments of a display device set forth herein, impactresistance, hardness or heat resistance of a window may be improved. Insuch embodiments, warping or curling of the window may be substantiallyminimized.

In such embodiments, a sensing error of the display device may besubstantially minimized, and the thickness of the display device may bereduced since pressure sensing portions include elastic elements havingdifferent thicknesses from each other.

In such embodiments, the display device may detect an occurrence of astrong pressure touch (e.g., a touch with a pressure greater than apredetermined reference pressure) to display a warning message on adisplay panel. Accordingly, damage to the display device may besubstantially prevented.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference tothe exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may beformed thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A window for a display device comprising: a baselayer; a first hard coating layer on the base layer; and a second hardcoating layer on the first hard coating layer and having a thicknessless than a thickness of the first hard coating layer, wherein the firsthard coating layer is between the base layer and the second hard coatinglayer.
 2. The window of claim 1, wherein the second hard coating layerhas a thickness which is about 10% of the thickness of the first hardcoating layer.
 3. The window of claim 1, wherein the first hard coatinglayer has a thickness in a range from about 5% to about 10% of athickness of the base layer.
 4. The window of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one of: a first auxiliary layer on a lower surfaceof the base layer; and a second auxiliary layer between the base layerand the first hard coating layer.
 5. The window of claim 4, wherein atleast one of the first auxiliary layer and the second auxiliary layercomprises at least one of polyimide, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone,polyethylene naphthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, opaque liquid crystalpolymer and polymethylmethacrylate.
 6. The window of claim 1, whereinthe first hard coating layer comprises an organic material and aninorganic material.
 7. The window of claim 6, wherein the organicmaterial of the first hard coating layer comprises acryl and epoxy. 8.The window of claim 1, wherein the second hard coating layer comprisesacrylic oligomer.
 9. The window of claim 1, wherein at least one of thebase layer, the first hard coating layer and the second hard coatinglayer comprises fluorine.
 10. The window of claim 1, wherein the baselayer comprises at least one of polycarbonate, a low birefringence resinand poly methyl methacrylate.
 11. The window of claim 1, wherein thefirst hard coating layer has a multilayer structure.
 12. The window ofclaim 1, wherein the base layer comprises a soft layer and a hard layer.13. The window of claim 12, wherein the soft layer and the hard layerare alternately arranged with each other.
 14. A display devicecomprising: a display panel; and a window on the display panel, whereinthe window comprises: a base layer on the display panel; a first hardcoating layer on the base layer; and a second hard coating layer on thefirst hard coating layer and having a thickness less than a thickness ofthe first hard coating layer, wherein the first hard coating layer isbetween the base layer and the second hard coating layer.
 15. Thedisplay device of claim 14, wherein the second hard coating layer has athickness which is about 10% of the thickness of the first hard coatinglayer.
 16. The display device of claim 14, wherein the first hardcoating layer has a thickness in a range from about 5% to about 10% of athickness of the base layer.
 17. The display device of claim 14, whereinthe window further comprises at least one of: a first auxiliary layerbetween the display panel and the base layer; and a second auxiliarylayer between the base layer and the first hard coating layer.
 18. Thedisplay device of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first auxiliarylayer and the second auxiliary layer comprises at least one ofpolyimide, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene naphthalate,polyphenylene sulfide, opaque liquid crystal polymer andpolymethylmethacrylate.
 19. The display device of claim 14, wherein thefirst hard coating layer comprises an organic material and an inorganicmaterial.
 20. The display device of claim 19, wherein the organicmaterial of the first hard coating layer comprises acryl and epoxy. 21.The display device of claim 14, wherein the second hard coating layercomprises acrylic oligomer.
 22. The display device of claim 14, whereinat least one of the base layer, the first hard coating layer and thesecond hard coating layer comprises fluorine.
 23. The display device ofclaim 14, further comprising: a frame which supports the window; a panelsupport portion between the window and a base portion of the frame; anda first pressure sensing portion between the panel support portion andthe display panel.
 24. The display device of claim 23, wherein thedisplay panel comprises: a center portion between the panel supportportion and the window; and an edge portion between the panel supportportion and the base portion of the frame, wherein the first pressuresensing portion is disposed between the edge portion and the panelsupport portion.
 25. The display device of claim 24, further comprisingat least one of: a second pressure sensing portion between a sideportion protruding from an edge of the frame and an edge of the window;and a third pressure sensing portion between the window and the displaypanel, wherein the display panel is flexible.
 26. The display device ofclaim 25, wherein at least two of the first, second and third pressuresensing portions have different sensitivities from each other.
 27. Thedisplay device of claim 26, wherein the third pressure sensing portionhas a lowest sensitivity, the second pressure sensing portion has ahighest sensitivity, and the first pressure sensing portion has asensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the second pressure sensingportion and higher than the sensitivity of the third pressure sensingportion.
 28. The display device of claim 25, wherein at least two of thefirst, second and third pressure sensing portions comprise elasticelements having different moduli from each other.
 29. The display deviceof claim 28, wherein each of the first pressure sensing portion, thesecond pressure sensing portion and the third pressure sensing portioncomprises an elastic element, a modulus of the elastic element of thethird pressure sensing portion is greater than a modulus of the elasticelement of the first pressure sensing portion, and the modulus of theelastic element of the first pressure sensing portion is greater than amodulus of the elastic element of the second pressure sensing portion.30. The display device of claim 28, wherein the elastic element of thefirst pressure sensing portion has a thickness substantially equal to orgreater than a thickness of the elastic element of the second pressuresensing portion, and the elastic element of the third pressure sensingportion has a thickness less than a thickness of the elastic element ofthe first pressure sensing portion.
 31. A method of manufacturing awindow for a display device, the method comprising: providing a firsthard coating layer on a base layer; and providing a second hard coatinglayer on the first hard coating layer, wherein the second hard coatinglayer has a thickness less than a thickness of the first hard coatinglayer.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the second hard coating layerhas a thickness which is about 10% of the thickness of the first hardcoating layer.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the first hardcoating layer has a thickness which is in a range from about 5% to about10% of a thickness of the base layer.
 34. The method of claim 31,further comprising at least one of: providing a first auxiliary layer ona lower surface of the base layer; and providing a second auxiliarylayer between the base layer and the first hard coating layer.
 35. Themethod of claim 34, wherein at least one of the first auxiliary layerand the second auxiliary layer comprises at least one of polyimide,polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene naphthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, and opaque liquid crystal polymer.
 36. The method of claim 31,wherein the providing the first hard coating layer comprises: forming afirst layer on the base layer; half-curing the first layer; forming asecond layer on the half-cured first layer; and fully curing the firstlayer and the second layer.